Shaaks69

Hello, I've recently went to get my car tuned at a dyno and it came back the same as it went in. I was told by the tuner that when vtec engages that car drops heaps in power, he said that it might be the rocker arms but I've never heard of the rocker arms leading to that much loss in power.

I've got a B18C jap spec out of a jdm integra type r, it made 121.9 kw atw bone stock and now its making only 100 kw.
Mods are:
B18C jap spec which has been decked 0.038" and running a buddyclub 0.018" 2 layer head gasket, skunk2 tuner series stage 2 camshafts, skunk2 dual valve springs and titanium retainers, new supertech valve guides and valve stem seals, ARP head studs, thermal intake manifold gasket, PLM toda rep headers, skunk2 adjustable cam gears.

It was serviced before the tune and was tuned on 98 octane. But I'm just wondering if they took my money and didn't touch the car or it can actually be the rocker arms. I've searched and couldn't find much answers

Thank you in advanced.

NotARaCist

iTrader: (1)

"The rocker arms" literally makes zero sense. Exactly what software and hardware did they use to tune it? Did they give you a before/after dyno sheet?

Shaaks69

I am unsure of the hardware but I've got a Apexi power FC installed, no they didn't but before the car lacked heaps of power in vtec so I was just told it needed a tune but once I did get it tuned they told me that there was an issue with the rocker arms and the pins but the car felt no different

NotARaCist

iTrader: (1)

That's not tuning, that's trash that died in the 90's, and needs to be left there. Get it properly tuned, or put stock cams back in it and run a stock ECU. Get more details on the "rocker arms and pins" thing. It sounds like bull, but I might have an idea as to what they're trying to say. Is your CEL on? Does it work?

tony_2018

Pretty sure in the neck of his woods there's only the power fc option.

NotARaCist

iTrader: (1)

Haltech Dealers Australia | Haltech - Engine Management Systems

And that's just a start for where to look. If OP picks up the phone and calls around, I'd be willing to bet he'll find someone. Worst case scenario, he could give Xenocron some money and get a socketted, chipped ECU with a basemap ready to go for his extremely common (if misguided) configuration.

tony_2018

There really is nothing special about it other than the cams, I'm sure xenocron can work something out.

joey1320

Do a compression check and post the results.

Shaaks69

Thanks everyone for the replies

The tuner has had a good reputation around my suburb and he knows how to tune plenty of ecus including the Apexi, I could go with another ECU such as hondata cause he tunes them as well but I really don't think it has anything to do with the ECU because he has done a few Apexi and made decent numbers

There isn't a CEL light on but it does work

So I guess it has nothing to do with the rocker arms ? Just wanted to see if there was any possibilities that it could be them

Also the car is good on compression no leaks, not burning oil, not drinking water and the engine has low mileage

tony_2018

Was vtec engaging before the installation of those skunk 2 cams? Did he tell you which rockers weren't engaging? Did you see him verify the issue was indeed the rocker arms?

Shaaks69

Yes vtec was engaging beforehand but it did lose torque but no power once vtec engaged but now when vtec engages it gets louder but loses major power very noticeable.
No he did not my mechanic (which is also a close friend of mine) took the car in and he just listened to what the tuner said

The funny thing is that I did notice a major gain in power before vtec engages compared to when it was stock

So the rocker arms and pins, no matter how bad thay are cannot lead to a major loss in power when vtec engages ?